Delivery of rice, bonus period extended to June 30

Deciding in the interest of rice millers, the Haryana Government today extended the delivery period of rice and bonus period from March 15 to June 30. The decision will benefit nearly 1,000 mills in the state. Along with the bonus, the millers will also receive a relief of about Rs 50 crore in holding charges.

Addressing a press conference today, CM Nayab Singh Saini stated that the Haryana Rice Millers Association had apprised the government that the Food Corporation of India (FCI) started taking delivery of rice almost 45 days late, due to which millers were unable to complete their work within the stipulated period.

Considering the association's justified demand, the government has extended the bonus eligibility period to June 30. Additionally, the rice delivery period has also been rescheduled to June 30. With this decision, all millers will receive not only the bonus but also the benefit of a waiver in holding charges.

The CM also said the government was committed to safeguarding the interests of farmers, and instead of October 1, the procurement of kharif crops would begin from September 22.

He said the Congress had misled the farmers by claiming that the BJP government would eliminate the MSP. "However, our government has consistently increased the MSP," Saini said.

In 2014, the MSP for paddy (common) was Rs 1,360 per quintal, while today it is Rs 2,369 per quintal. Similarly, the MSP for paddy (Grade-A) was Rs 1,400 per quintal, while today it is Rs 2,389 per quintal.